Cantata Collective Presents its 9th Season, 2025-2026

Cantata Collective, San Francisco's only professional Ensemble dedicated solely to the performance of the Cantatas of J.S. Bach, is pleased to announce its Ninth Season of FREE Bach concerts—events that have become a mainstay of the Bay Area's musical landscape.

"A group of local early-music luminaries devoted to the composer's 200-plus compositions in the genre" (San Francisco Chronicle), Cantata Collective is supported by an enthusiastic Board of Directors, and endorsed by an illustrious Advisory Board. Together with its "congregation" it has created a magical community of listeners who share in this traversal of musical treasures. Cantata Collective presents these iconic works as the equivalent of a World Heritage Site, a collection of masterworks belonging to all people.

Cantata Collective’s performances in its acoustically perfect home, St. Mary Magdalen Church, in Berkeley, California are FREE to the public. The Ninth Season is made possible thanks to grants from Benevity, The Chicago Community Trust, the Richard and Mary L. Gray Foundation, the Jewish Community Endowment Fund, the Richard M. and Susan L. Kaplan Philanthropic Fund, the KAVAH Fund, the Waverley Fund and generous individual support.

The highlight of the 2024-25 season was the sold out performance of the St. Matthew Passion, conducted by Nicholas McGegan, at Berkeley’s temple for Early Music, First Congregational Church. Coinciding with that performance AVIE released the group’s recording of Easter Oratorio and Magnificat which has already received international critical acclaim. The tradition of celebrating Bach’s birthday with performances of his major choral masterpieces continues on March 21, 2026 with his Ascension Oratorio and Cantata 21 Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis.

Early Music America wrote following the release of their first recording: “To the excellent musicians of the Cantata Collective, MORE BACH, PLEASE!” The Ensemble’s growing discography reflects that request and has received international critical acclaim. Details and excerpts from the press can be found on the Recording Initiative on this website.

Frank Wing Photography

 

2025-26 Season of FREE Bach Concerts

All FREE Cantata concerts are presented on Sundays at 5PM at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman Street in Berkeley

September 21, 2025

Herr, wie du willt, so schicks mit mir, BWV 73
Der Friede sei mit dir,
BWV 158
Tue Rechnung! Donnerwort,
BWV 168

Tonia D’Amelio, soprano
Heidi Waterman, alto
Brian Giebler, tenor
Harrison Hintzsche, bass

 

November 16, 2025

A gala program featuring Sherezade Panthaki and Paul Max Tipton

Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152
DUETS FROM
Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis,
BWV 21
Christen, ätzet diesen Tag,
BWV 63
AND SELECTED ARIAS

 

January 4, 2026

The Polyphonists
Christum wir sollen loben schon,
BWV 121
Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich,
BWV 150
Wo gehest du hin?
BWV 166

Amy Broadbent, soprano
Sylvia Leith, alto
Matthew Hill, tenor
Edmund Milly, bass

 

March 1, 2026

Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, BWV 99
Ich lasse dich nicht, du segnest mich denn,
BWV 157

Nola Richardson, soprano
Christine Brandes, alto
Michael Jones, tenor
Ben Kazez, bass

 

April 26, 2026

O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort, BWV 20
Die Elenden sollen essen,
BWV 75

Jennifer Paulino, soprano
Sara Couden, alto
David Kurtenbach Rivera, tenor
John Buffett, bass

 

May 31, 2026

Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt, BWV 18
Du Hirte Israel, höre,
BWV 104

Morgan Balfour, soprano
Kimberly Leeds, alto
Nicholas Phan, tenor
Jonathan Woody, bass

The Annual Bach Birthday Celebration

March 21, 2026 at First Church Berkeley

Ascension Oratorio BWV 11
Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis BWV 21

Featuring Nicholas McGegan and the Orchestra and Chorus of Cantata Collective

with
Sherezade Panthaki, soprano
Nicholas Burns, alto
Thomas Cooley, tenor
Paul Max Tipton, bass